Nigea Carter

Nigea Carter, who a week ago announced that he had made an oral committment to attend the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship, has spurned the Vols. The two-time All-County and All-State Coconut Creek wide receiver verified Friday that he would sign a national letter of intent to Michigan State Wednesday. "I changed my mind," he said. "I thought it over and concluded that I really felt more comfortable at Michigan State." Meanwhile, St. Thomas` running back Daryl Porter made an oral commitment to Boston College.

By CRAIG BARNES and DARIN KLAHR Special to the Sun-Sentinel, April 21, 1997

Tyrus McCloud felt worse for his family than he did himself when he wasn't drafted until the second day. McCloud, a Nova High grad who was rated by some as the No. 1 middle linebacker in the draft out of Louisville, wasn't convinced he would be picked in the first three rounds. McCloud was right, and was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round Sunday. "My family and others close to me were more let down than I was," said McCloud, who is 6 feet 1 and 252 pounds. "I had an idea that it might go this way. "It still feels good to me. It's just a relief.

Cedric Saffold, an All-County wide receiver from Suncoast, has committed to Michigan State. "I like the school itself and I thought I`d have a chance to playe early," Saffold said. "I like the social environment there. It`s not a big-city setting, but it`s not a rural setting either." Saffold (6 feet 3, 185 pounds) was second in the county with 41 catches for 576 yards and six scores. He`ll join ex-Suncoast star Damian Manson, the Sun- Sentinel`s Defensive Player of the Year two years ago, at Michigan State.

Some of the recent college football bowl games had a distinctly Broward County flavor to them. The FedEx Orange Bowl featured the return of several local products. The most notable performer, senior quarterback Danny Kanell (Westminster Academy) completed 20 of 32 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns to rally the Seminoles to a 31-26 win over Notre Dame. The FSU roster also includes freshman fullback Khalid Abdullah (Nova), junior linebacker Henri Crockett (Ely), senior walk-on linebacker James D'Amico (Taravella)

COCONUT CREEK -- Standout wide receiver Nigea Carter and defensive back Joe King of Coconut Creek are questionable for Friday night`s Region 6-5A showdown against Dillard because of academic problems. Carter, the leading receiver in Broward County, and King, the county interception leader with eight, were held out of last week`s 20-5 loss to Deerfield Beach. Carter, who has been compared with former St. Thomas wide receiver Michael Irvin, led the county with 37 receptions for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns through Coconut Creek`s first nine games.

By CRAIG BARNES and DARIN KLAHR Special to the Sun-Sentinel, April 21, 1997

Tyrus McCloud felt worse for his family than he did himself when he wasn't drafted until the second day. McCloud, a Nova High grad who was rated by some as the No. 1 middle linebacker in the draft out of Louisville, wasn't convinced he would be picked in the first three rounds. McCloud was right, and was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round Sunday. "My family and others close to me were more let down than I was," said McCloud, who is 6 feet 1 and 252 pounds. "I had an idea that it might go this way. "It still feels good to me. It's just a relief.

Some of the recent college football bowl games had a distinctly Broward County flavor to them. The FedEx Orange Bowl featured the return of several local products. The most notable performer, senior quarterback Danny Kanell (Westminster Academy) completed 20 of 32 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns to rally the Seminoles to a 31-26 win over Notre Dame. The FSU roster also includes freshman fullback Khalid Abdullah (Nova), junior linebacker Henri Crockett (Ely), senior walk-on linebacker James D'Amico (Taravella)

COCONUT CREEK -- Taravella broke up Coconut Creek`s homecoming party, upsetting the Cougars 19-14 behind the running of Craig Arlotta and the defense of Eric Genden. Arlotta pounded out 150 yards on 35 carries and Genden, covering Nigea Carter man-to-man most of the game, intercepted two of four passes picked off by the Trojans on homecoming night at Coconut Creek Stadium. Trailing 14-13, Taravella (3-4) marched 53 yards on eight plays to take a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Arlotta picked up 50 of the yards on six carries, most of them straight through the middle, and scored the touchdown on a 3-yard run. It was his second TD of the game.

FORT LAUDERDALE -- For three years Coconut Creek wideout Nigea Carter has been flirting with Broward County`s single-game record for receiving yards. Flirtation turned to realization Thursday night as the senior caught five passes for a 188 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 31-24 District 11-5A win over Boyd Anderson. Carter, 6 feet 3, caught scoring passes of 45, 56 and 49 yards, all of them from quarterback David Gies. He added catches of 7 and 31 yards to break the record of 174 yards set in 1976 by another Creek receiver, Cecil Holloway.

While the Florida High School Activities Association next year will allow football teams to begin practicing Aug. 8, one week earlier than usual, and allow schools to play an 11th game, don`t look for it to happen in Broward. Not if the county`s football coaches have anything to say about it. District 18 coaches voted unanimously against both changes at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association meeting Tuesday and have submitted recommendations to the state FACA office that the two new rules be recinded.

Cedric Saffold, an All-County wide receiver from Suncoast, has committed to Michigan State. "I like the school itself and I thought I`d have a chance to playe early," Saffold said. "I like the social environment there. It`s not a big-city setting, but it`s not a rural setting either." Saffold (6 feet 3, 185 pounds) was second in the county with 41 catches for 576 yards and six scores. He`ll join ex-Suncoast star Damian Manson, the Sun- Sentinel`s Defensive Player of the Year two years ago, at Michigan State.

Nigea Carter, who a week ago announced that he had made an oral committment to attend the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship, has spurned the Vols. The two-time All-County and All-State Coconut Creek wide receiver verified Friday that he would sign a national letter of intent to Michigan State Wednesday. "I changed my mind," he said. "I thought it over and concluded that I really felt more comfortable at Michigan State." Meanwhile, St. Thomas` running back Daryl Porter made an oral commitment to Boston College.

COCONUT CREEK -- Standout wide receiver Nigea Carter and defensive back Joe King of Coconut Creek are questionable for Friday night`s Region 6-5A showdown against Dillard because of academic problems. Carter, the leading receiver in Broward County, and King, the county interception leader with eight, were held out of last week`s 20-5 loss to Deerfield Beach. Carter, who has been compared with former St. Thomas wide receiver Michael Irvin, led the county with 37 receptions for 820 yards and 10 touchdowns through Coconut Creek`s first nine games.

While the Florida High School Activities Association next year will allow football teams to begin practicing Aug. 8, one week earlier than usual, and allow schools to play an 11th game, don`t look for it to happen in Broward. Not if the county`s football coaches have anything to say about it. District 18 coaches voted unanimously against both changes at the Florida Athletic Coaches Association meeting Tuesday and have submitted recommendations to the state FACA office that the two new rules be recinded.

COCONUT CREEK -- Taravella broke up Coconut Creek`s homecoming party, upsetting the Cougars 19-14 behind the running of Craig Arlotta and the defense of Eric Genden. Arlotta pounded out 150 yards on 35 carries and Genden, covering Nigea Carter man-to-man most of the game, intercepted two of four passes picked off by the Trojans on homecoming night at Coconut Creek Stadium. Trailing 14-13, Taravella (3-4) marched 53 yards on eight plays to take a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter. Arlotta picked up 50 of the yards on six carries, most of them straight through the middle, and scored the touchdown on a 3-yard run. It was his second TD of the game.

FORT LAUDERDALE -- For three years Coconut Creek wideout Nigea Carter has been flirting with Broward County`s single-game record for receiving yards. Flirtation turned to realization Thursday night as the senior caught five passes for a 188 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cougars to a 31-24 District 11-5A win over Boyd Anderson. Carter, 6 feet 3, caught scoring passes of 45, 56 and 49 yards, all of them from quarterback David Gies. He added catches of 7 and 31 yards to break the record of 174 yards set in 1976 by another Creek receiver, Cecil Holloway.

There is only one thing that excites Nigea Carter more than making a catch and turning it into a big gain. That is a Coconut Creek win. "If I make two catches, or 10, it doesn`t mean anything unless there is a win," said the 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior after the Cougar`s 10-7 opening- season victory last Saturday against Cardinal Gibbons. Carter had only two pass receptions for 19 yards. As a junior a year ago, the talented wide receiver had 25 receptions for 455 yards. The Cougars finished 8-2 and 9-3 overall after winning both a district and regional championship.

There is only one thing that excites Nigea Carter more than making a catch and turning it into a big gain. That is a Coconut Creek win. "If I make two catches, or 10, it doesn`t mean anything unless there is a win," said the 6-foot-3, 175-pound senior after the Cougar`s 10-7 opening- season victory last Saturday against Cardinal Gibbons. Carter had only two pass receptions for 19 yards. As a junior a year ago, the talented wide receiver had 25 receptions for 455 yards. The Cougars finished 8-2 and 9-3 overall after winning both a district and regional championship.